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Original poster

To wonder why older kids never go to the zoo?

160 replies

anotherfinemess1 · 17/11/2024 10:34

I had a fantastic day out with DS (8 years old) at London Zoo yesterday. We all loved seeing the animals and it’s great now he’s older and can read the signs and learn about species and how they are being saved in the wild. I was really shocked that he was about the oldest kid there. Why don’t older kids (8+) go to zoos any more? I hope my son never grows out of it - at the moment he wants to be a conservationist when he grows up and surely that’s going to be really important for his generation after the older generations have made such a mess of the planet!

OP posts:
Createausername1970 · 17/11/2024 10:45

My 22 year old (ND) son loves a zoo. We were on holiday in September and had to include a visit to a local zoo/wildlife place.

UhhhhhhhOK · 17/11/2024 10:45

Zoo entry is not cheap? We go to zoos on holidays

Pancakeflipper · 17/11/2024 10:44

My 16 loves going to the Wildlife park.

But it is expensive so it's only once or twice a year.

Smashingwatermelons · 17/11/2024 10:43

The last time we went to the zoo it made us feel sad to see the animals locked up, dcs were 12&14. I don’t enjoy going to zoos at all, even the safari parks where the animals have a bit more space.
I can’t get past the idea that surely those giraffes would prefer to be in their natural habitat instead of being in an enclosure in the UK.

MyBigFatGreekSalad · 17/11/2024 10:43

I always see mixed primary age kids at my local zoo? Definitely more popular for younger children as they're not in school so lots of locals buy an annual pass but I still see lots of older children too!

kiraric · 17/11/2024 10:42

I think 7/8 is about where kids have their own preferences.

My 8 year old is very interested in wildlife and animals and gets more out of a trip to the zoo now than when he was little.

But other kids have other interests. Mine wouldn't sit through a football match for example but some of his friends have been doing that for years.

MrsSkylerWhite · 17/11/2024 10:41

Ours did. Adults now, still love a zoo.

Coasterfan · 17/11/2024 10:40

Mine are 15 and 17 and we go at least once a month, we love the zoo!

Livinginaclock · 17/11/2024 10:40

I took my daughter when she was older too, I think she was 12 when we last went.
She loved it so much her bf proposed to her there a few years ago.

Hallllllllie · 17/11/2024 10:39

Personal experience, and same for my kids, it's just boring unless they are little kids.